(1)A justice of the peace may issue a warrant authorising an authorised officer of a local authority to enter premises, other than residential premises, by force if necessary, if satisfied on sworn information in writing that—
(a)there are reasonable grounds for believing that an offence under section 5 has been committed in the area of the local authority,
(b)it is necessary to enter the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether such an offence has been committed, and
(c)a requirement set out in subsection (2) or (3) is met.
(2)The requirement is that—
(a)a request to enter the premises has been, or is likely to be, refused, and
(b)notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this section has been given to the occupier, or to a person who reasonably appears to the local authority to be concerned in the management of the premises.
(3)The requirement is that requesting to enter the premises, or the giving of notice of intention to apply for a warrant under this section, is likely to defeat the purpose of the entry.
(4)The warrant continues in force until the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it was issued.